(MCLA Fan) Fall Ball Report: Yotes Howl Through September

The following article just ran over at MCLA Fan. I’m reposting it here for obvious reasons.

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Editor’s note: Please welcome Vicente Aranguiz to MCLA Fan! A senior attackmen for the College of Idaho, Vicente stops by to give us an update on the Coyotes’ Fall 2011 activities. Check it out below!
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Fall ball is in full swing here at the College of Idaho (Idaho’s other MCLA lacrosse team) and things are looking great. Now keep in mind the word great is completely subjective and relative in this instance; allow me to explain. For those of you who aren’t up to speed with College of Idaho lacrosse, or completely oblivious to our existence, I will now share with you the brief tale that was Yotes lacrosse 2011.

“After going to playoffs for the first time in program history in 2010 and graduating 7 formidable seniors, the Yotes won one game last year. The End.”

Granted there was far more to the season than that, (like a freshman initiation that went terribly awry, a steamed out bus full of shirtless techno dancing, or enduring the sight of a fully de-pants coach). Moving on, the point is spring 2011 is in the books and 2010 PNCLL D2 Coach of the Year Matt Gier is at the helm of a promising looking squad going into 2012. He welcomes with open arms the glorious return of Jeff Ball; this time in offensive coordinator form. Jeff with be assistant coaching alongside the tireless Jon Osterburg who will do much of the behind the scenes work that rarely receives credit, including the leading of 5:30AM team lifts, (I told you this guy was tireless), as well as keeping the incoming freshmen in check.

Speaking of freshman, fall ball has given the team a great first look at the incoming players. Two highly touted recruits this year are Patrick Erstad (Boise HS, 39G, 17A, Attack) and Austin Mendiola (Meridian HS, 22G, 8A, 101 freakin’ GB, Midfield). Looking to make a name for himself as a Yote is Korey Gambill (Borah HS, 3G, 2A, Midfield); and we all are keeping our fingers crossed for a healthy Chazz Griffen (Killington Mt., Maryland, Defense) who redshirted last year due to sustaining an shoulder injury while competing for the Yotes alpine ski team. As for returners, the team graduated only one senior, lost a handful to academic and financial reasons. As for the rest of us . . . you could say we have a chip on our shoulder from last season. We’re hungry for some wins.

Figure 1 – No arm pads, torn nets, BMW in shooting range, and who the eff is that kid in the red? Oh yes, College of Idaho is in full fall-ball mode.

In conclusion, after three weeks of practice the Yotes have implemented new offensive schemes, ran rigorous defensive drills, and conditioned too much (in my humble opinion). Morale is high in preparation for the Gem State Fall Ball Tournament taking place on October 8th-10th in Boise, Idaho. Go Yotes!
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About Mikey B

Mikey B played lacrosse for Eagle High and THE University of Idaho. He's now riding his youth into that ol' sunset and squeezing in a few more glory days with Scallywags Lacrosse Club while working to grow the game from the ground up with Elite Lacrosse.
If you've got questions or comments, he'd love to hear from you so drop him a line at mike@lacrosseallstars.com.